The HAM Radio Village is a brand new addition to the conference for 2009. Run by the Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society – MARES, a non-profit, non-government organisation who’s members consists of amateur radio enthusiast who volunteer to be at the ready to provide communication service in time of disaster when normal communication channels are either down or congested.

Amateur radio is defined by the Malaysian Telecommunications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as:

Radio communication service (covering both terrestrial and satellite) in which a station is use for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and techical investigation carried out by authorized persons who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without any pecuniary interest. Millions of radio amateurs communicate daily with each other directly or through relay systems.

Attendees will get a first hand insight into the equipment, licenses and examinations for those interested in getting into the world of amateur radio. Time and weather permitting, MARES will also showcase a LIVE COMMUNICATIONS FEED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) – space hacking anyone?